two heads are better than one! - Austin Health

s p r i n g 2 0 0 8W o r l d l e a d i n g c a r e at y o u r d o o r s t e pWhen it comes to Alzheimer'stwo heads arebetter than one!Austin Health’s Associate Professor Michael Woodward, Professor Christopher Roweand their respective teams are working in a bid to beat the devastating effects ofAlzheimer’s Disease. While it is still early days, Vitality is pleased to report that thepreliminary results of their trials are highly promising.“Studies show that up to one in three Australians will develop Alzheimer’s Disease,” said ProfessorWoodward, the Head of Austin Health’s Aged Care Services. “By 2030, there will be more peopledying from Alzheimer’s than any other condition.”While these statistics are of great concern, it is somewhat comforting to know that the AustinHospital has one of the largest research units in Australia dedicated to Alzheimer’s Diseaseand other causes of dementia. Already work is underway in detecting the disease as well asdetermining the most effective drug therapies. What is more, significant inroads have been made.Earlier detection is now possibleIn the past, the only way that Alzheimer’s could be confirmed was through an autopsy. Now, it ispossible for both patients and even healthy people without a clinical diagnosis of dementia to bescanned and the disease detected, in some cases before the onset of symptoms.A key component of Alzheimer’s Disease is the build-up of a protein called beta-amyloid, whichforms plaques in the brain. The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is done in conjunctionwith dyes that have a radio-isotope attached.As Professor Rowe, Austin’s Director of Nuclear Medicine explained: “The dye is only radioactivefor an hour. We inject the patient, wait 30 minutes, then put them in the scanner. The radio-

MovingforwardA thank you messagefrom the CEOIt's been a busy few monthsat Austin Health. In Julywe opened our refurbishedSurgery Centre at the AustinHealth's Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Thanksto $8 million in State Government funding, theCentre will allow us to treat an additional 2,000elective surgery patients a year.We were also awarded a four-year accreditationperiod from the Australian Council on HealthcareStandards. This is a significant achievement,recognising Austin Health's commitment todelivering quality patient care and services.Of course, much of the credit for our hospital'sexcellence goes to you, our generous supporters.This is particularly true of our Liver Transplant Unit,which is celebrating 20 years of life-saving workgiving hundreds of Victorians a second chanceat life.This edition also focuses on ways forwardin treating a growing problem in our ageingpopulation – Alzheimer’s Disease. It is throughvital clinical trials, many of which are undertakenat our Memory and Cognitive Research Unit, thatwe can progress towards early detection andbetter control of this major health concern.Your on-going support is a vital one that helpsAustin Health continue to deliver world-class careand extensive research, in our mission to keeppeople as healthy and independent as possible.Thank youDr Brendan MurphyChief Executive Officer(continued from cover...)isotope will then highlight any betaamyloidin the brain. It can also be usedfor patients trialling disease-slowingtherapies as evidence the drugs areworking."The Austin Hospital’s Nuclear Medicineteam has been working in collaborationwith CSIRO researchers. A cyclotron,which is a machine encased in a2m thick concrete bunker, makes theradio-isotypes.These are then brought to the chemistrylab and attached to the dye. Because ofthe short life of these components, theymust be made on site, immediately priorto use. As a result, each of these scanscosts in excess of $1,000.According to Professor Rowe, over 300 patients have beenscanned this way since September 2004, with around halfof these still being followed up with regular PET scans.By being able to detect Alzheimer’s Disease earlier, drugtherapies can be commenced before significant damagehas been done to the brain.Trialling of drugs places usclose to a major breakthroughThere are different ways of approaching the treatment ofAlzheimer’s Disease. As Professor Woodward told Vitality:“We’ve been working on treatments for Alzheimer’s Diseasefor around 15 years. Currently about 50 patients a year enterour Alzheimer’s Disease trials at Austin Health. Many of thesepatients come from Austin Health's Aged Care Service,including the Austin Hospital’s Memory Disorder Clinic.However referrals for trials also come from other sources,for example other geriatricians refer people to us who areinterested in taking part in a trial. About six trials are currentlyunderway at our department”.The team collaborates on research trials of many differenttypes of drugs. These include disease-modifying drugs toremove the build-up of beta amyloid plaque in the brain.Professor Woodward cited a recent Phase II trial of anAlzheimer’s Disease drug called PBT2 which has shownpromising results in improving people’s cognitive abilities,without significant side-effects.“We are now on the threshold ofsome major breakthroughs,” ProfessorWoodward said. “Drugs are beingdeveloped that may not only reduce thesymptoms but can attack the lesions,the plaques and tangles, on the brainand dissolve these. This would meanthat we could not only arrestthe progressions of Alzheimer’s,we could hopefully in time cure thisdebilitating disease.”Sue Caldwell, Manager of AustinHealth's Medical and Cognitive ResearchUnit (MCRU) said that patients decideto participate in Alzheimer’s Diseasetrials for many reasons - includingthe possibility of improving their owncognitive ability and also to help future generations who mayget this illness.“It’s a very exciting time to be involved in studying Alzheimer’sbecause we are on the verge of finding treatments which maymake a real difference.”Calling for donationsand volunteersAustin Hospital is urging everyone in the community to getbehind this groundbreaking work by contributing towards thepurchase of new equipment. Right now funds are neededto purchase a number of items including a Hot Cell, aRefrigerated Centrifuge, an ECG Machine and we also needto repaint and recarpet the Aged Care Unit. If you can help itwould be greatly appreciated.Austin Hospital is also looking for volunteers.We are looking for volunteers to undergo regular PET scanning.Participants must be 60 years or older and have mild butnoticeable memory loss. If you or somebody you know isinterested, contact Denise El-Sheikh on (03) 9496 3326 forfurther information.Volunteers are also invited to participate in Alzheimer'smedication trials. If you or somebody you know is interestedin taking part in an Alzheimer’s Disease medication trialplease contact Sue Caldwell on (03) 9496 2181.

Austin researcher winsaward for groundbreakingstroke researchAustin cardiologist’sbig heart brings rewardAustin Health Director of Neurology and world-renownedstroke expert, Professor Geoffrey Donnan, has beenawarded this year’s prestigious Bethlehem GriffithsResearch Foundation (BGRF) medal.The medal is in honour of Professor Donnan's 30-yearcareer and his outstanding contribution to the fieldof stroke research and management in Australia andinternationally.“Stroke is a serious health issue that affects 60,000Australians of all ages each year. The outcomes ofProfessor Donnan’s research has the potential to helpcountless stroke patients around the world,” said DrBrendan Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Austin Health.As the National Stroke Research Institute's founder anddirector, Professor Donnan leads major research trialsinto the prevention and treatment of stroke.His team’s groundbreaking research, involving brainimaging technology, has enabled clot-dissolving agentsto be used to treat stroke sufferers, improving thechances of a complete recovery for the 30 per centof stroke patients who previously faced permanentincapacitation.With his team, Professor Donnan also disproved thebelief that the brain dies within a few hours of seriousstroke. By proving that it can survive up to 48 hours, theteam has created an opportunity for potential therapies.“This work will make it possible for more people torecover from serious stroke,” said Professor Donnan.“The challenge is to extend the efficacy of existingmedication beyond the current short three hour time limitso more people can actually walk away from stroke.”On receiving his medal, Professor Donnan said: “Thisaward is a tribute to the huge team that has beeninvolved in significant stroke research over a numberof years. Importantly, it emphasises the importance ofresearch on the overall stroke agenda".A passion to rid the world of health inequalities hasdriven Austin Hospital cardiologist Professor AndrewTonkin from the consulting room to the world stage.Professor Tonkin has a career that is dotted withachievements, including pioneering strategies to reducethe rate of heart disease in Australian indigenouscommunities, which is the highest in the world.Professor Tonkin believes that healthcare interventionsfor indigenous people must be culturally appropriateand address the issues of disadvantage that lead topoor health outcomes.He pioneered a register of aboriginal children withrheumatic fever, so that they could be given amonthly penicillin shot to prevent their developmentof rheumatic heart disease, a disease that has beenProfessor Tonkin is presented with the prestigiousSir John Loewenthal Award for his achievements inheart disease.virtually eliminated in the non-indigenous communityand other wealthy countries in the world.“You need to come up with a special approach forgroups that are the most vulnerable,” Professor Tonkinsaid.Professor Tonkin’s father died of a heart attack whenhe was only eight years old, triggering a lifelong interestin the heart. He was brought up by his mother – aschool teacher with a love of education who he creditsequally with his success.His personal research has focused on topical issuesin cardiology, such as the links between depression,psychosocial factors and heart disease, and currently,a long-term study into the effect of taking aspirin onthe heart health and cognitive function of apparentlyhealthy older people.Professor Tonkin accepted the prestigious Sir JohnLoewenthal Award at a ceremony in June 2008,in recognition of his contribution and to establishcommunity education programs on rehabilitation,prevention and treatment of heart disease.Did you know?Austin Health is recognised as a leaderand benchmark to best practice inAboriginal health, with an Aboriginal HealthDevelopment program and dedicatedpatient and peer support workers to helpdeliver culturally appropriate healthcare forindigenous patients and their families.

The Surgery Centre heralds new eraof elective surgery careThe Surgery Centre at Austin Health's HeidelbergRepatriation Hospital opened its doors to its first patientson 29 July 2008, after an official opening by PremierJohn Brumby and Health Minister Daniel Andrews whotoured the newly refurbished rooms.The Surgery Centre will treat 6,000 elective surgerypatients a year, allowing Austin Health to treat anadditional 2,000 elective surgery patients each year.Austin Health Surgical Clinical Service Unit Director,Bernadette McDonald, said that The Surgery Centreintroduced a new model of care for elective surgerypatients at Austin Health.“The cornerstone of this model of care is that patientswho are admitted for surgery will not be cancelledbecause of emergency demand, as currently occurs atmajor public hospitals,” said Ms McDonald.The Surgery Centre includes:• four operating theatres• two endoscopy suites• a ten-bed recovery unit• a twelve-bed short stay ward, and;• diagnostic infrastructure at the HeidelbergRepatriation HospitalSurgeons perform urology, plastics, general surgery,breast surgery and ophthalmology with some minororthopaedic surgery. The Centre provides treatmentoptions for patients who require day surgery or aninpatient bed of up to 72 hours.The Surgery Centre complements the Austin Hospital’srecently redeveloped Surgery and Endoscopy Centre,which treats 20,000 patients each year.Premier John Brumby, Dr Brendan Murphy and HealthMinister Daniel Andrews at the official opening.Thank you!Thank you so much to everyone for your donations.Your support helps us in so many ways to deliver thevery best in patient care. In particular our thanks goesto those who have made generous donations to theHeidelberg Repatriation Hospital Heritage Appealduring recent weeks.We also extend our appreciation to Sovereign Order ofSaint John of Jerusalem for their donation to the Childand Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Austin Health.The continued support by Mr Donald Blackham to providea scholarship at the Ballarat Austin Radiation OncologyCentre is deeply appreciated.Thank you to Landsdale Rose Gardens - grower of theOlivia Newton-John Rose. Landsdale is making a donationto the Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal for everyrose sold. The Olivia Newton-John Rose is available atBunnings, Mitre 10 and leading nurseries.Meet the teamTanya Carter manages Austin Health’sfundraising media and communications.Having worked previously for Austin Health’sCorporate Communications Department,Tanya says that role really gave her a greaterunderstanding of the diverse areas Austin Healthspecialises in.“I believe we havesome of the mosttalented health carestaff in the countrywho really do go thatextra mile to helppatients and theirfamilies. I’ve metsome very specialpeople and heardmany incrediblestories of courageand recovery, frompatients and staff.”Tanya’s varied role includes writing the fundraisingnewsletters, stage managing major fundraisingevents and working with media outlets to promoteAustin Health and the Olivia Newton-John Cancerand Wellness Centre Appeal fundraising initiatives.Locked Bag 25, Heidelberg VIC 3084Ph: (03) 9496 5753 Email: fundraising@austin.org.au

VSCS Spinal AppealThank you to the generous donors who supported ourAustin Spinal Unit equipment fundraising appeal. Youhave made the many challenges ahead for our spinalinjuredpatients a little easier.Before this week is over, someone new will beadmitted to the Austin Hospital - paralysed from aspinal-cord injury incurred through an accident. Thisirreversible life-changing experience that impacts onevery area of life could happen to any one of us.The patient’s rehabilitation journey is a long andchallenging one, as they require help with eventhe most basic functions. Part of the patient’smultidisciplinary health care team is a primary nurse.The primary nurses at the Austin’s Royal TalbotRehabilitation Centre provide guidance, support andvaluable assistance for patients to re-gain control oftheir lives.The Spinal Nurse Unit Manager, Jennifer Batten saidthat the role is challenging for the primary nurses.“Some days are filled with laughter and sometimestears,” she said. “The satisfaction of seeing a patientmake the transition towards the next stage of theirrehab often makes the job very worthwhile.”With varying degrees of paralysis, patientsdepend on special equipment for the most basicfunctions, such as coughing or swallowing.The equipment funded from the Austin SpinalUnit appeal will help patients’ function asindependently as possible, on a daily basis.Thankyou!Yes, I wish to support Austin Health's groundbreaking work for Alzheimer'sPlease accept my tax-deductible donation of:$35 $50 $110 $230 $___________my choiceABN 96 237 388 063I would like to donate the entire cost of a Refrigerated Centrifuge, costing $15,000I would like to donate the entire cost of an ECG Machine, costing $8,000Locked Bag 25, Heidelberg VIC 3084Ph: (03) 9496 5753 Email: fundraising@austin.org.auEnclosed is my cheque/money order made payable to Austin Health for theamount I have ticked:Name: Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ____________________OR Please debit the amount I have indicated from my:Address: __________________________________VISA MASTERCARD AMEX___________________________ P/code: ________Card no.Telephone: _________________________________Email:_______________________________________Name on card: ___________________________________________________Supporter No. (if known): _____________________Signature: ______________________________ Expiry Date: ______/______YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLEAHVSP08Please send me information about:Making a bequest in my Will to Austin Health; orI have already included Austin Health in my Will